Make this popular Double Irish Chain Quilt by piecing appliqued shamrocks, hearts and bows to quilt squares.

Patchwork is a wonderful way to use scraps of fabric or old clothing. It was very popular during the depression and has become popular once again as a form of recycling. Pieces of fabric are sewn together into a design which are then usually quilted.

Patchwork is usually used to make quilts, but it can be used to make hand bags, clothing such as jackets or skirts. It can be embellished with embroidery or trim.

If you are artistic, you can design your own pattern, however there are many established patterns to choose from, each with a distinctive design and each with different variations.

Irish Chain quilts are a combination of different blocks pieced together. Variations include the Single, Double and Triple Irish Chain. Each uses a pieced and plain block sewn together in rows while giving the illusion of being sewn on the bias.

Trace each pattern on cardboard and cut out. Piece the blocks as illustrated, using white and a colour you choose. Colour is used for the shamrock and squares appliqued to the plain block; this is the same size as the pieced block. Alternate pieced with appliqued blocks. The bow and scallop makes a pretty border in any width from 6 inches up. Make the scallops of plain colour and the bows of a lighter shade.

Twenty-five 2 1/2 inch squares are required for each pieced block; 13 white and 12 coloured. One-quarter inch seams are allowed resulting in 2-inch squares; a complete block is 10 inches square.

A quilt of about 82 x 102 inches will result if 32 pieced blocks are used alternately with 31 plain white, or the white block with four 2-inch squares and shamrocks appliqued as shown. Use a 6-inch border all around and applique bows and scallops to this. 32 of each are required.

You will need about 4 1/3 yards of colour; 5 1/2 yards of white, and 1 1/2 yards for the 6 inch border.